They say a broken heart will never mend, but a new appeal and groundbreaking research by the British Heart Foundation is hoping to do just that, as Julia McWatt discovered

AFTER all the excesses of Christmas and New Year, many of us will be thinking about the effect they will have on our waistlines.

But, as with most of the decisions we make about our lifestyle, we neglect to think about the negative impact they may have on our heart.

However, those who suffer with heart problems including coronary heart disease are more than aware of the problems caused by many lifestyle decisions and the impact on the quality of life when the heart is not working properly.

Many people suffering with a form of heart disease will experience chest pain, palpitations and unusual breathlessness, swelling of the feet or ankles, constant tiredness and feeling weak, anxiety and depression and find themselves limited in what they can do.

Although fewer people are dying from heart attacks, there are hundreds of thousands of people living with badly damaged hearts and heart failure.

Heart failure – one of the biggest killers in the UK – affects more than 750,000 people and the problem is growing, with the chances of survival for many heart failure patients worse than most forms of cancer.

Once a heart has been damaged by a heart attack, it cannot be fully repaired, although surgery and drugs can minimise the effects of it. Exercise, such as swimming, walking, gardening and climbing stairs can make a difference, alongside maintaining a healthy weight, stopping smoking and controlling high blood pressure.

One person who knows the debilitating impact that heart disease can have on the quality of life is Mary Case, pictured.

Mary, from Cyncoed, Cardiff, was diagnosed with a heart block in March 2009, after finding herself struggling to do everyday things such as climbing the stairs.

During a visit to the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend for rheumatoid arthritis treatment Mary’s pulse was routinely taken. But this time, medical staff were alerted as the alarm bells went off on the machine.

Further tests were carried out and Mary was told she would need a dual pacemaker fitted.

She said: “I had been experiencing breathlessness when I was walking up the stairs and it was like climbing a mountain. I had also been suffering with dizzy spells which had been concerning me. I thought that something was wrong and it had been my intention to talk to someone about it when I next visited the hospital, but I had no idea it was connected to my heart. In the end I didn’t have to say anything.

“I have to go to hospital for regular infusion treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and it was only when I was at the hospital and my pulse was taken, that the nurse was alerted to a problem when the monitor went off. The nurse could see that something was wrong and I was immediately given an ECG so it was really fortunate for me that I happened to be at the hospital anyway.

“After coming to terms with having rheumatoid arthritis after being diagnosed in 2005, it came as another major health blow for me. It was quite frightening and a huge shock. My partner, Patrick, was with me, and he came in and the cardiologist told us that I had a heart block between chambers in the atrium and ventricle and would need to be fitted with a dual pacemaker.

“I was very upset and shocked at first, but I was grateful to be at the Princess of Wales Hospital as I had received such great treatment before and I felt confident. So when they told me about the operation, I thought, ‘fine’ as I was confident knowing I was in safe hands in the hospital.”

Having experienced some minor discomfort after the operation, the pacemaker quickly made significant changes to Mary’s life and she found many of her symptoms improved almost straight away.

She said: “After the operation I had to make sure the wound was kept dry and could not lift or stretch my arms for a few weeks, but apart from that it was fine. Obviously, the operation involved an incision, but I was not in any pain. However, my quality of life improved very quickly.

“The dizziness and breathlessness stopped very soon after the operation – in fact the breathlessness went almost straight away.

“Having the support of Patrick, and my son Christopher, helped me deal with my health problems in a very positive way. The treatment I have received has also been second to none.

“Without the care and attention I have received, my quality of life would have deteriorated dramatically. Obviously I still have the rheumatoid arthritis but that is being kept under control, but if I did not have that, I would feel even better.

“I am aware of the pacemaker but I have been very fortunate with the treatment that I have received which has enhanced my lifestyle.”

The British Heart Foundation have set up their Mending Broken Hearts Appeal in order to raise funds for groundbreaking stem-cell research that could begin to “mend broken hearts” within the next 10 years.

As part of the ambitious research, scientists are now studying zebrafish, who can mend their own hearts when they are damaged to find out if this could help develop a way of repairing damaged human hearts.

They are also looking to develop a heart patch, which, with the right layout of heart muscle cells held together by proteins and supporting cells, could form part of a future treatment for some people with heart failure.

Since her operation, Mary has been supporting the British Heart Foundation Cymru and recently held a fundraising event at her home that resulted in £3,500 being raised towards the charity’s Mending Broken Hearts Appeal.

For more information about heart disease and British Heart Foundation’s appeal, visit www.bhf.org.uk.